Pathophysiology Terms

STUDY

PLAY

The study of changes in cells/tissue structure related to disease or death.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease affects body function.

Health

Having the ability to maintain homeostasis when exposed to normal conditions.

Disease

Being unable to maintain homeostasis when exposed to normal conditions.

ETIOLOGY

The study of the cause of a disease

GENETIC

A disease, condition, or trait that is inherited as a result of a single gene.

CONGENITAL

A disease, condition, or trait that is present at birth

ACQUIRED

A disease, condition, or trait that developed because of being exposed to something during your life.

IDIOPATHIC

Without a clearly identified cause.

SIGNS

- Evidence of disease that is objective and can be seen, measured, or recorded.

SYMPTOMS

- Evidence of a disease that is subjective and cannot be seen, measured, or recorded.

PATHOGENESIS

- The events that lead to the development of a disease and the signs and symptoms that occur as the disease progresses.

ACUTE

- A disease that develops and resolve rapidly.

CHRONIC

- A disease that develops gradually and last 3 months or longer.

REMISSION

- The lessening in severity of the symptoms of a disease.

EXACERBATION

- An increase in the severity of a disease or any of its signs or symptoms.

LOCAL

- A condition that is confined to one area.

SYSTEMIC

- A condition that affects the entire body.

ENDOSCOPY

- A procedure that utilizes a fiber optic camera to view structures inside of the body.

RADIODENSITY

- The ability of an object to stop or slow radiation.

X-RAYS

- A visual recording of differences in radiodensity of anatomical structures.

CONTRAST X-RAYS

- X-rays that utilize a contrast media to increase the radiodensity of selected fluids within the body, producing an image of the structures containing the fluid.

ULTRASOUND

- A visual recording of differences in the rate of return & intensity of sound waves reflected off of objects within the body.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS

- A recording of the electrical activity of the cardiac conduction system.

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM

- A recording of the electrical activity of the brain, most often recording the cerebral cortex.

SPIROMETRY

- Any procedure used to measure a persons ability to move air or the capacities of the respiratory system. Often referred to as PFTs (pulmonary function tests)

CHEMOTHERAPY

- The use of chemicals to kill cells within the body. Two main types of chemotherapy are used - to kill cancer cells or microorganisms.

PHARMACOLOGICAL

- The use of drugs to treat disease.

PALLIATIVE

- Any form of treatment that relieves signs & symptoms without curing a disease. May include the use of medication (such as a decongestant or pain reliever), therapeutic massage, counseling, physical therapy, orthotic devices...

PROGNOSIS

- A prediction of the likely outcome or consequences of having a disease.

- A morbid process or event occurring during a disease that is not an essential part of the disease, although it may result from it. (Example: blindness is a complication often associated with diabetes)

TERMINAL

- A disease likely to cause death.

TRAUMA

- The transfer of a harmful amount of energy. The energy may be mechanical, electrical, radiation, or thermal.